Unrecognized lithopedion with 35 years' evolution diagnosed on computed tomographic scan.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Gynecology

Background:

• Abdominal pregnancies are rare, potentially life-threatening ectopic gestations.
• Lithopedions form when a fetus, typically in a neglected abdominal pregnancy, becomes calcified over time.

Observation:

• An incidental finding of a lithopedion was made in a patient with a 35-year-old abdominal pregnancy.
• The calcified fetal structures were clearly visualized on abdominopelvic computed tomographic (CT) images.

Findings:

• The CT images provided detailed visualization of the calcified fetus and surrounding structures.
• This confirmed the diagnosis of a long-standing, unrecognized lithopedion.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of advanced imaging in diagnosing rare gynecological conditions.
• Underscores the potential for long-term complications from undiagnosed abdominal pregnancies.
• Provides a case study for understanding the radiological presentation of lithopedions.